The Singapore High Court found Shadrake guilty on November 3, 2010, of "scandalizing the judiciary" by suggesting in his book, Once a Jolly Hangman: Singapore Justice in the Dock, that Singapore's mandatory death penalty for drug trafficking offenses is not always equitably applied. Shadrake alleged that implementation of the death penalty for some 20 such offenses is subject to political and economic pressures, including from the ruling People's Action Party, that discriminate against the poor, the weak, or the less-educated. Full story
Singapore: Court to Hear Appeal by Critic of Judiciary
Human Rights Watch, 8 Apr 2011
(New York) - On April 11, 2011, the Singapore Court of Appeal will hear the case of Alan Shadrake, a British author whose book criticized the Singaporean judiciary. The outcome of Shadrake's appeal of his contempt of court conviction could have important implications for free expression in Singapore, Human Rights Watch said today.
The Singapore High Court found Shadrake guilty on November 3, 2010, of "scandalizing the judiciary" by suggesting in his book, Once a Jolly Hangman: Singapore Justice in the Dock, that Singapore's mandatory death penalty for drug trafficking offenses is not always equitably applied. Shadrake alleged that implementation of the death penalty for some 20 such offenses is subject to political and economic pressures, including from the ruling People's Action Party, that discriminate against the poor, the weak, or the less-educated. Full story
The Singapore High Court found Shadrake guilty on November 3, 2010, of "scandalizing the judiciary" by suggesting in his book, Once a Jolly Hangman: Singapore Justice in the Dock, that Singapore's mandatory death penalty for drug trafficking offenses is not always equitably applied. Shadrake alleged that implementation of the death penalty for some 20 such offenses is subject to political and economic pressures, including from the ruling People's Action Party, that discriminate against the poor, the weak, or the less-educated. Full story
